Course Details

Writing for the Web (Tues June 10th 2014)

The registration period has expired.

Category:

Professional Skills

Course rationale:

Writing for the web is very different from other types of writing – mainly because online readers access information differently. Learn how to make the most of your website and get your messages across effectively.
According to research:

79% of users scan the page instead of reading word for word

Reading from computer screens is about 25% slower than reading from paper

Web content should have 50% of the word count of its paper equivalent

This course shows you how to apply this research to ensure your site is user-friendly and your content is clear, concise, well-structured and user-friendly.

Target group:

This course is for anyone who writes or edits online content.

Content:

Planning: Clear thinking leads to clear writing

Understand how readers access web content

Define your purpose

Identify your target readership (age, expertise, interests)

Create an effective brief for writers and editors

Build an effective structure for a page, with a skeleton

Use hypertext/anchor links to improve accessibility

Link information, using chunks and following breadcrumbs

Practice

Writing content: strong, clear, concise English

Identify best practice in web content writing

How to adapt hard copy for the web

Accessibility, guidelines and practice on how to achieve WCAG 2.0(international standard supported by the National Disability Authority)

When to use pdfs/word/html

Ensure scanners get the message quickly

Use the power of language to achieve objectives (and achieve WCAG 2.0)

Get the style and tone of voice right - for your target audience

Use clear, concise, accessible English

Does it do what it says on the tin? Good labelling

Ensure each section fulfills its purpose (e.g. informs users or answers their questions)